Sanction Problems

All

I have received a one week sanction dating back to an appointment that I was late for in the start of September with Seetec. I am on ESA with limited capacity for work/

It is my first sanction and I have attended all other appointments as requested (it was a 9am - my alarm didnt go off as my phone didnt charge and I still went arriving at a new location about 1030am).

I explained these circumstances in the letter, difficulty sleeping, nerves and panic and have received a one week sanction which I have asked to be reconsidered.

This isnt actually the problem - the problem is that despite a WP09 (letter confirming my comp having been sent by post in mid November this still hasnt been updated to the system. So my benefits are still stopped (although thankfully my housing benefit) is continuing to be paid.

I have been in constant contact with Seetec, my local job centre and Belfast and it seems nobody can do anything to get this letter on the system and get the sanction lifted - has anyone else had the same problems and been able to resolve.

Seetec say they sent the WP09 by recorded delivery to Wellingborough and that it has been received and will be dealt with as there is a backlog.

The local Job Centre are sympathetic and initially offered to get involved when I saw Seetec next but are now backtracking saying that its only in exceptional circumstances they can get involved.

DWP Belfast are still waiting for the letter to be uploaded to the system.

I have been told that it can take up to 6 to 8 weeks and even 10 weeks for a sanction to be lifted - has anyone any experience of this and any way to get it done any quicker.

Also I have been advised to apply for a hardship loan - does anyone know how these work or what it might entail.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

persona1973 wrote: Also I have been advised to apply for a hardship loan - does anyone know how these work or what it might entail.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

If you are on Income Based ESA and have no othe rincome to fall back on you can claim a Hardship payment for the period you were sanctioned for - you can claim back 60% of the personal allowance, it is not a loan.

Here is a link to the latest JSA/ESA10JP form-

www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/183765/re...h/4/5261%20JSA10.pdf

Hi

Thanks for sending the form across. A few questions if anyone can help with them as well.

Im on contribution based esa - does that make any difference to it.

Also what are the criteria for being accepted and has anyone applied - been turned down or alternatively been accepted.

Also it doesnt seem to make sense, they sanction you, withold your payments while a letter awaits delivery, but award you payments in the interim at 60% of the normal level which then you dont have to pay back when you get your backdate to when the sanction was applied (less the week sanction obviously)

Does anyone have any info on this?

Thanks again in advance

Hi All

Thanks for the advice above - apparently you can apply for a hardship loan if you fill in an esa3 if you are on contribution based esa. The form is quite bewildering and much above what I've previously had to fill in - has anyone experience of these?

Also I wondered if anyone else was suffering from this backlog of sanctions being lifted - im next in at my work programme tomorrow so will then see what can be done - its four weeks today since the sanction was applied but the paperwork has still not arrived.